In commemoration of Juneteenth, the Town of Sodus revealed a new historical marker honoring the Union General who announced the end of slavery in Texas. Major General Gordon Granger, a Sodus native, played a crucial role in the celebration now recognized nationally as Juneteenth.
At the end of the American Civil War, Granger was assigned as the commander of the District of Texas. On June 19, 1865, he led his troops into Galveston, where he announced General Order No. 3, declaring all slaves in Texas to be free.
This pronouncement marked the beginning of what is today celebrated as Juneteenth, a holiday recognizing the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.
The historical marker dedicated to General Gordon Granger was placed by the Town of Sodus Historical Society at his former residence at 6081 Main Street, in the hamlet of Joy where he was born. The marker stands as a testament to Granger’s vital contribution to the nation’s history and the ongoing celebration of freedom and equality.
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